HEALTH CAMPS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1930, Page 8

HEALTH CAMPS

GOOD RESULTS DERIVED

MORE FINANCE NEEDED

WELLINGTON, October 14

Tim snlendid results derived from the series of children’s health camps which have been assisted by the Christmas Seal Campaign were referred to by the .Minister for Health (the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy), in an interview to-day. He said that the results fully justified the campaign.

“However, the objective of the Christmas Seal Campaign is larger than anything yet accomplished in that direc tion,” said the Minister. “It is desired to establish permanent bases throughout the Dominion for children’s health camps and to organise these camps in a satisfactory way with the co-operation of local communities. With a view to establishing the first unit of a series of camps, plans had been prepared and much preliminary work done. The funds available from last year’s Christmas Seal Campaign, however, are not yet adequate to cover J ’’ ■ cost of building the pioneer camp, but as soon as these are sufficiently augmented the work will be put in hand.”

The Minister said the medical officers of liis Department were as enhusiastic a.s himself regarding the etablishment of the health camps. They would not, however, allow their enthusiasm to run them into .schemes from which sufficient finance was not available. , Valuable gifts of land were being made for the purpose, and he was confident that before long money would be available to embark upon the scheme.launched only last year. SPECIAL STAMPS. In regard to this year’s issue of Christ* mas stamps, the Minister said the design of the new stamp was agreed upon early this year, and the engraving was placed with a noted English firm early in April. The engraving was expected to arrive.in July, but unfortunately cabled advice later revealed that the work was not .satisfactory. The Post and Telegraph Department was then instructed to have an alternative design issued immediately, and the Minister said he hoped the anxiety he had felt for the last month would be ended in a day oi- two by the new issue being available for sale. Instructions had been sent Home to proceed with the design chosen ifor this year tor issue in 193132.

With the generous support that he was sure the people of the Dominion would continue to give the children’s heatlli camp movement, the Minister said the time was not far distant when they would be able to transmute the money available into camp buildings ana equipment, and eventually healthier boys and girls. The movement was a national first-line attack against incipient tuberculosis.